This is a technical report on textile labelling. Council Directive 71/307 introduced compulsory uniform labelling of textile products on the basis of their fibre content, both quantitative and qualitative, and made it possible to bring about their free movement within the Common Market, something which had been hampered previously by national laws. Through it, consumers were able to ascertain the composition of various textile-articles available for sale.
This Directive was given effect in Ireland by the European Communities (Names and Labelling of Textile Products) Regulations, 1973, S.I. No. 43 of 1973, which became operative from 13 February 1973. Since the Directive's adoption it has emerged that there are many differences in its application and interpretation by Member States, that it is deficient in certain respects, that technological advances have rendered certain of its provisions inappropriate and that rather than facilitating free trade it has had the opposite effect in many cases.
The Commission amendment proposal [COM(79) 778 final/2] which was the subject of discussion for a number of years and which was submitted to the Council last year is designed to eliminate the deficiencies in the existing situation. The proposal would have to be given specific effect in Ireland by amendment regulations to the existing textile labelling regulations. The Joint Committee have been informed that this amending Directive, if adopted, will have no major implications for Irish industry over and above the responsibilities which the present measures place on relevant manufacturers and retailers. Indeed if anything, it could be said that it would lessen their burden owing to the confining nature of the substantive amendments to the original proposal. Accordingly, the Joint Committee welcome the proposed Directive.
Paragraphs 1 to 9, inclusive, agreed to.
Draft report agreed to.
Ordered: To report accordingly.